Training Widget

Monday, December 17, 2007

One of the keys to a healthy consistent running program is to actively manage it. A lot of people I know try to set a routine and won't vary it. The problem with that is you don't have any flexibility, and when life throws you a curve ball, you skip the run. You don't feel great on a scheduled hard day and you miss an important piece of the training puzzle.

I prefer to actively manage my running schedule but allow it to be flexible. By keeping track of the weather forecast and watching my schedule, I try to carve out the best time to run each day and maximize my running effectiveness. Today is a perfect example. My plan was to run early before work, but when I realized it was only 22 degrees and there was a 20 mile an hour wind I was less than enthusiastic. I did a quick check of the weather and saw that the wind was forecast to die down by afternoon, so I had 2 options. I could still run before work and probably only run 2 miles or I could wait it out and run after work. I chose to wait and was rewarded with a perfectly calm and clear evening. If I had been locked into a routine, with no streak to keep going, I probably would have just skipped the run today.

By waiting until this evening, I had much better weather. It was still cool, but I dressed warm, put on all my safety lights and headed out. The moon and stars were out in full force and cast a beautiful blue light to light the way for me. The constellation Orion kept pace with me as I ran around the 4.4 mile loop. So, instead of cutting the run short on a chilly windy morning, I was able to get a relaxing, quiet run in that was longer than any I have done in the last 10 days. So while it is important to have a plan, it is just as important for me to be flexible and adapt. Allowing myself that flexibility keeps me from feeling guilty when I need to back off and in return I occasionally will run further on a day when I'm feeling better.

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About the Blog

I'm a pathetically inconsistent runner who needs accountability. So here it is - I've challenged myself to a running streak of 1000 straight days. The flu won my first attempt that ended at 364 days, but I'm back at it for 2009. Well, that was the case anyway. In 2011, I accomplished my goal and have run right on past it. In 2012, I start my 4th year of running everyday. while I don't post here as frequently as I have in the past, you can still follow me on Twitter or over at Dailymile Drop by and say hello and I'll occasionally come back here and update the site.